YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Toldot
Islam is also aggrieved by Yaakov’s hold on its heel. To many in the Moslem world and to its immans and leaders, the existence of a Jewish state in territories that the Moslems feel is theirs - a wakf given to them by Allah himself - is a theological impossibility. If Yaakov’s hand cannot be loosed from their heel then that hand - like the hand of a thief under Sharia law - is to be severed. This stark fact lies at the root of the so-called Arab-Israeli dispute. It is not territory, borders, water rights and the other issues that we are allegedly negotiating over that are the main issues. It is now and has been for over a century the mere existence of a Jewish state in the midst of the Middle East that is the issue. And this issue is then enlarged into a question as to whether Jews or Judaism itself should be allowed to exist. You will note that the Yemeni Islamist terrorists sent their bomb laden packages to Jewish synagogues and institutions in Chicago, not to Tel Aviv. Islam wishes to be freed of Yaakov’s hold on its heel so then it can turn its full attention to Christianity and the West. There are many in the Jewish world who are befuddled, misguided and frightened of their own identity when looking at themselves in the mirror of Jewish history and destiny, who therefore also resent their fate at having to hold on to Eisav’s heel. So they assuage themselves with high-sounding phrases of goodness and peace and compassion for others coupled with disdain and even hatred for their own kind and people. Jews fool themselves bitterly if they think that Eisav differentiates between Haaretz and Arutz Sheva. The continuing existence of Jews means that, wish it or not, we are all still engaged in holding on to the heel of Eisav.
Judaism does not desire triumph or rule over others. It is more than satisfied in maintaining itself as a necessary moral force in the world and the survival and well being of the Jewish people and its state. This struggle, millennia old, continues in full force today. Recognizing this truth will strengthen our hand and spirit in this struggle.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
